Five More Individuals Plead Guilty in Federal Court for Felony Lane Gang-Type Criminal Activity in Baton Rouge and Across Louisiana

United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today the recent convictions of five additional defendants charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit access device fraud.  The charges stem from a lengthy federal, state, and local investigation that has spanned numerous jurisdictions across several states and has resulted in convictions against ten (10) individuals for participating in a fraudulent scheme targeting victims in the Middle District of Louisiana.

From August 2016 through February 2017, the defendants traveled through numerous states, including Louisiana, breaking into unattended vehicles, stealing the victims’ licenses, checkbooks, and credit and debit cards, and then using the stolen items to conduct fraudulent financial transactions at the victims’ banks.

    Michael D. Gibbs, age 27, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud;

    Brandon J. Gassett, age 29, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud;

    Raymond B. Mathews, age 33, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud;

    Geoffrey D. Green, age 36, Lauderhill, Florida, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud; and

    Frank Jackson, age 25, of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud.

U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin stated, “The convictions of ten interstate criminals in this case demonstrate that law enforcement, working together, will leave no stone unturned to bring all those involved in criminal activity to justice.  This type of organized crime creates undue hardships for the unsuspecting victims who should feel confident that we remain committed to bringing these types of offenders to justice.  I want to congratulate all of our federal, state, and local partners around the country for their tireless efforts.”

Bryan A. Vorndran, FBI New Orleans Field Office Special Agent in Charge stated, “The convictions imposed on these five defendants bring closure to their two-year crime spree which spanned across several U.S. states; stealing the identities of a number of consumers and leaving them with significant financial hardships.  The collaboration demonstrated in this case by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, Florida Highway Patrol, U.S. Attorney's Office, and East Baton Rouge District Attorney's Office, as well as all of our other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, North Carolina, and Wyoming was second to none.”

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Baton Rouge Police Department, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, Walker Police Department, Lafayette Police Department, Covington Police Department, Oxford (Mississippi) Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol and Asheville (North Carolina) Police Department.  The investigation has received substantial assistance from the 19th JDC District Attorney’s Office in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Johnson County, Wyoming Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the Third Judicial Circuit of Florida State Attorney’s Office.  This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alan Stevens and Chris Dippel, who both serve as Deputy Criminal Chiefs, and former AUSA Cal Leipold.